Flashback 2 review (PS5)

Flashback 2, the long-overdue sequel to the iconic 1992 game, attempts to recapture the magic of the original while introducing modern elements. Set in a dystopian future, the narrative follows Conrad B. Hart as he confronts the Morph invasion led by General Lazarus. With a vibrant sci-fi/cyberpunk universe and an adventure spread across diverse environments like New Tokyo, New Washington and the legendary Jungle, we couldn’t wait to try this one out. We did so on a PlayStation 5.

The return of the classic Flashback atmosphere is evident very quickly, with a nod to the ’90s heroics and a familiar 2D feel despite rendering the visuals in 3D. The environments in Flashback 2, from New Tokyo to lush jungles, evoke nostalgia and showcase impressive lighting effects. To modern gamers the balance between classic cinematic 2D platforming and this more modern approach might be a mixed experience though – as moving around with Conrad isn’t quite as smooth as it was in 2D or in modern 3D action adventures.

Navigating the 2.5D environment with 360-degree movement adds an interesting layer to the classic formula, but unfortunately Flashback 2 suffers from significant bugs and imprecise controls at launch – indicating this one could have used some more time in the oven. The aiming system for instance, despite the attempt to modernize, falls short, making combat frustrating rather than exciting. The use of shields and healing items feels clunky in a 2023 game, affecting the overall gameplay experience.

The presence of missions paying tribute to the 1992 Flashback adds a nostalgic touch, as does the use of elevator travel and the way you unlock doors with terminals, but the appeal of all that may be limited to fans of the original. The attempts at humor feels a bit out of character for a Flashback game, creating a dissonance that doesn’t align with the original game’s legacy.

The game does introduce some innovative elements, like the expanded 3D world and the use of A.I.S.H.A., a weapon enhanced with combat AI. However, these promising aspects are overshadowed by the technical issues that plague them – which can also extend to scripting errors that force you to restart and lead to frustration.

In terms of visuals, the game boasts a cyberpunk aesthetic, but the distant and dynamically changing camera, combined with optimization problems, hampers the player’s view from time to time. Performance issues, including frame rate drops that even occur on a PS5, further detract from the experience.

Despite its attempts to blend nostalgia with modern gaming, Flashback 2 sadly falls short of living up to the legendary status of its predecessor. While it successfully retains the DNA of Flashback, the lack of polish, technical problems, and a failure to meet contemporary standards make it a game that could have been great but ultimately misses the mark. If they decide to keep working on this one post-launch, the score below could easily be two points higher.

Score: 5.5/10